The Secret Child (DI Amy Winter #2)(90)

CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN

‘I thought it only fair that you hear the news from me.’ DCI Pike looked different today. Her face carried a sense of peace Amy had not seen in a long time. A sad smile crossed Pike’s lips. ‘It’s been a tough year, but I hope we can put it behind us and be friends.’

Friends? Amy swallowed the acidic response on her tongue. Pike knew how let down Amy had felt when she issued the order that caused Luka to bolt. With the limelight solely on her, Amy had taken the flak. Her actions could have been career-breaking and her job was the one thing that kept her sane. Finding Toby and Ellen in the panic room had been one of the highlights of her time on the force. These were the moments she lived for. But there was more digging to do. Details of the children in the doctor’s care were slowly filtering through. Julian, Martha, Sam, Jamie and Luka would finally have a voice. Amy would not rest until they followed up every lead. Her hunch about the pharmaceutical company had been justified. Dr Curtis had two sets of tests: the legitimate results concerning his usual subjects, and another, secret set for the tattooed children. These results had been sent to pharmaceutical company Novo-Hynes, which had funded Curtis’s studies for years. Stuart was offering his full cooperation, which would hopefully gain him leniency in court. While not directly involved in the children’s deaths, he and Christina had turned a blind eye.

Luka was conscious, fortunate to have survived his ordeal. Seeing his father again would be a groundbreaking moment, and Amy hoped it would go some way towards putting things right. Not that she would convey any of this to DCI Pike. Amy’s disappointment in her senior officer was expressed without words. She would not share her private thoughts with a person she no longer trusted or even liked.

‘I hear you’ve been talking to Steve.’ Pike was referring to DC Moss and the part she had played in getting him demoted. ‘It’s regrettable how things turned out between us, but it’s never too late to put things right.’ She turned her gaze towards the window. Amy shifted in her seat as she took in her expression. Were there tears gathering in her eyes? ‘I’ve taken early retirement,’ Pike continued. ‘Let’s say I was encouraged to do so.’

As her words sank in, Amy wondered if she had heard right. ‘You’ve quit the police?’

‘Yes, and I’ve a good idea who my replacement is. The role needed some fresh blood from an outside force.’

‘Oh . . . I see. I’m sorry to hear that.’ But was she? She was glad Pike was facing up to things, including her sexual harassment of Steve Moss. But losing her job . . . the woman lived and breathed the police. It was bound to hit her hard. ‘What are you going to do now?’

‘Between us, I’m going to concentrate on my marriage. We’re relocating to Devon, hoping for a fresh start.’

Amy imparted a hesitant smile. How her husband had put up with her infidelities this long, she did not know. But there were two sides to every story, and she would not be quick to judge.

‘This job’s changed me, and I don’t like who I’ve become.’ Plucking a tissue from a box on her desk, Pike dabbed the tears forming in the corners of her eyes. ‘The official line is I’m retiring because my role as a DCI has been made obsolete. I thought I owed you an explanation.’

‘I’m shocked,’ Amy replied. ‘I hope the decision to go wasn’t down to anything I said.’

Pike sniffled before blurting a humourless laugh. ‘No offence, but you’re not that influential. On a brighter note, the command team are very pleased with you. They want to capitalise on what you bring to your role. Just imagine when the story comes out. Teamed with a new DI, you’ll reach stratospheric levels of success.’

Thoughts of further publicity made Amy bristle, but she was glad the command team were behind her. Pike was right, a good leader could take them even higher. Be an example to other forces implementing similar teams. ‘So there’s a DI taking over your position? How is that going to work?’

‘You’ll share the same rank but he’ll be responsible for overseeing the team. I’m sure you’ll work well together.’

‘So it’s a he?’ Amy held her breath. As much as she mistrusted Pike, sometimes it was better the devil you know.

The clock on the wall ticked a few more seconds before Pike passed on the news. ‘DI Donovan is going to make an excellent addition to the team.’

‘Donovan?’ Amy’s mouth fell open as she lost all composure. ‘Not DI Donovan from Essex Police?’

‘Yes, he’s been primed for the role. ‘Nice chap, very personable, and he’s got a lot of time for you. He has a daughter living in London and wants to relocate to the Met.’ She rose from her chair and turned to the coffee pot. ‘Would you like some?’ she said, filling a cup.

‘No,’ Amy said on autopilot, her head spinning with the news. Donovan was moving to London? Leading her team? This was a joke. It had to be. But then she thought about his visits to the area, how he had happened to be around when she got pelted with eggs. His dinner with Pike. Had he been using Amy to get inside information on the role? No. She was a decent judge of character, and he was too genuine for that. But still . . . How was she meant to work with him every day?

Pike was too busy singing his praises to notice Amy’s rising panic. ‘He’s got some amazing commendations and is just what this team needs. I’m sure you’ll get on famously.’